I watched this episode in my living room while the New York Giants were playing the New Orleans Saints. This was a very powerful and controversial episode. Guerwitcz, the teams tight end, is hiding a huge secret from the team- that he is gay. The Cougars become aware of his homosexuality when Guerwitcz lover spoke out about the issue. The entire episode Guerwitcz has to deal with hazing from the team. Players verbally bash him and also bash him on the practice field. The players make it clear that they do not accept that a homosexual is part of their team.
When watching this episode, I wondered how a real NFL team would treat this manner. Since the Cougars represent a real NFL team, it made me think that the same situation would play out the way it did. The ownership on the team did not support him either, and wanted him to go on injury reserve to basically take him off the playing field.
My favorite part of the episode was when they showed the cougars practicing for an upcoming game. I understand that most of the athletes on the show are actors, but they do a great job at impersonating real NFL players. Their movements and gestures and very accurate to the way a real football player would move. I can imagine that they used real coaches and players to help these actors achieve this realism on the show. Even the play calling seems to be accurate. The quarterback would call formations in the huddle which seem realistic- not just the “blue 42″ which is so tacky. The players on the show also fit the physical description of athletes. For the most part, they are muscular and look built for football.
Overall i rate this episode a four out of five.
With nine weeks in, I definitely consider this a typical show I would watch. Anything that is sports related or reality tv seems to be right up my alley. Many of the issues on this show are realistic and only help with the authenticity of the show. I wish there were more shows like this on tv. Friday Night Lights seems to be a show that is similar Playmakers since it deals with football but on the high school level. Im sure the issues on that show are merely teen drama, and not like the issues seen on Playmakers.
October 24, 2009 at 3:31 pm |
Nick,
Interesting insight on the homosexual athlete issue. Perhaps when you touch on this issue in your paper, you may want to look up John Amaechi & reference his struggle. Do you agree with how the team & the brass treated Guerwitcz? What would you have done?
ESPN did create this show, so the realism is very legitimate. But why was this show cancelled? That’s another issue you can tackle in your paper. Pun unintended.